Middletown Dental
Dr. Pradeep Sukumar, DMD, MPH

Are thumb-sucking and pacifier habits harmful for a child's teeth?

Proper Oral Health Tips for Kids

Thumb sucking and pacifier use will generally only become a problem if they continue for a long period of time.

The thumb sucking and pacifier habits are normal for young children and most stop these habits on their own without a lot of prompting.

If your child is reluctant, you can try distracting them when they want the pacifier or offering alternatives.

What Do I Do If My Child Won’t Stop?

If they are still sucking their thumbs or fingers past the age of three, they may be at risk for developmental issues with their teeth and jaws. In cases like these, your child's Middletown, NJ dentist may recommend a preventative mouth appliance to curb the habit.

We recommend bringing your child in for a consultation. In many cases, we can offer sound advice for helping your child put down the pacifier! 

Children's Dentistry in Middletown, NJ

If you are concerned about your child's thumb-sucking habits, we can help. The dentist offers a mouth appliance that can help stop the behavior before it becomes a problem for the development of their front teeth. Contact our Middletown, NJ dental office to schedule an appointment today. 

We serve patients everywhere, including Holmdel, New Monmouth, Belford, Leonardo, Keyport, and Union Beach.

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